Modern Mining March 2025

COAL OUTLOOK

Instead of dying, King Coal has just relocated to Asia.

Coal continues to endure where it is most welcome

their argument that coal’s fate has been sealed. However, the world is bigger than the West, and coal has secured dominance on the opposite side of the global map. Instead of dying, King Coal has just relocated to Asia, where it is most appreciated. Anyone looking for answers to how coal will likely perform in the foreseeable future should turn their attention eastwards. Countries like China, India and Indonesia account for a large portion of global coal consumption. In its attempt to maintain energy security, China is making massive investments toward building new coal mines and coal-fired power stations. According to the Global Energy Monitor, China is developing more than 1.2 billion tons of coal mining capacity, accounting for over half the projects across the globe. To support its large population and rapidly growing economy, India is also not backing away from coal. By 2023, India had consumed more coal than two continents, namely North America and Europe, combined. Indonesia also relies heavily on coal, accounting for 67% of the country’s electricity generation. So, it is clear that coal’s prospects remain high, where it is still needed and appreciated for its remarkable power generation abilities.

An interesting study published by the Economic Journal draws a compelling link between the prosperity of European cities and their proximity to coalfields from the 18 th century onward. These economic hubs needed to be physically close to coal mines to industrialise and succeed. The study suggests that European cities located at least 49 kilometres from the closest coalfield grew by 21%, contributing to a significant leap forward in their development. T hings have changed, and today, European nations under the influence of ambitious green policies – feel they no longer with the gradual phase-out of fossil fuels, more especially coal. The UK became the first major economy in the EU to shut down its last coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire last year. At first glance, such By Vuslat Bayoglu, Menar MD need reliable fossil fuel generated power. This despite the fact that power prices in the region have skyrocketed as EU countries persist developments might give coal critics a reason to celebrate and cement

10  MODERN MINING  www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | MARCH 2025